Flood Risk Assessments

FAQs

Do I need a Flood Risk Assessment?

A Flood Risk Assessment is required for any planning application where the site of the proposed development is located within Flood Zones 2 or 3 as defined by the Environment Agency. Such sites are considered to be at risk of flooding and the Environment Agency and local planning authorities have the power to challenge planning applications that have not taken into account all of the flood risks involved.

A Flood Risk Assessment is also mandatory for sites of 1 hectare or greater in Flood Zone 1, and for smaller sites in an area within Flood Zone 1 which has critical drainage problems, as notified to the local planning authority by the Environment Agency. For further information on the relationship between Flood Zones and Flood Risk Assessments, see our news item Flood Zones Explained.

A Flood Risk Assessment should demonstrate how a proposed development will manage flood risk from all possible water sources to the site in question. Changes in flood risk to off-site locations as a consequence of development should also be considered with recommendations provided to avoid increasing such risk.

Is my site located in a Flood Zone?

If your Site is in England, your site will be located in a Flood Zone as defined by the Environment Agency for planning purposes. To find out what Flood Zone your site is located in, input your postcode into the Environment Agency Flood Map available online.

If your Site is in Wales, your site will be located in a Flood Zone as defined by Natural Resources Wales for planning purposes. To find out what Flood Zone your site is located in, input your postcode into the Development Advice Map available online.

If your Site is in Scotland, your site will be located in a Flood Zone as defined by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency for planning purposes. To find out what Flood Zone your site is located in, input your postcode into the Flood Hazard and Flood Risk Information Map available online.

 

Who are Flood Risk Assessments Intended for?

• House builders and developers
• Property professionals such as architects, planning consultants and land agents
• Lawyers and solicitors
• Lenders, banks or mortgage providers
• Businesses
• Private individuals
• Insurance companies

Why might a Flood Risk Assessment be required?

• Validating planning applications
• Meeting planning conditions
• For land and property purchase
• For the sale or divestment of a site
• Due diligence
• Lending, mortgages, pension funds
• Business risk assessment

FloodSmart Delivery

A FloodSmart Report for Sites located in Flood Zone 1 can be delivered in 5-10 working days.

Delivery of reports requiring EA, NRW or SEPA consultation and data (FloodSmart Plus and FloodSmart Pro) is dependent on their response times to supply such data, which can typically take up to 20 working days. Typically your flood risk report will be dispatched within 10 working days from receipt of the required data.

A premium delivery is available if your report is urgent – do get in touch and let us know.

Your report will be sent in electronic format as a .pdf file straight to your inbox, with hard copies available at an additional cost.

Why commission a FloodSmart FRA Report?

Local planning authorities are likely to request a Flood Risk Assessment for any site which is situated on the modelled flood plain, and within the vicinity of a fluvial or tidal watercourse.

Flood Risk Assessments are also requested in areas of low fluvial or tidal flood risk if a proposed development is over one hectare in size and/or lies within a critical drainage area.

Which FloodSmart FRA report is best for you?

Different levels of flood risk assessment reports are required for different purposes. We’ve therefore developed a range of products which are suited to meet the various needs of our clients. If you’re not sure which level of report you need please contact us at enquiries@geosmartinfo.co.uk.